Police nabbed a felon Thursday in North Platte who was trying to buy an handgun in violation of the law.

Police were alerted to the situation when a resident spoke to an officer and said they were on a Facebook page called Nebraska Gun Exchange, police investigator John Deal said.

The resident said Ted Daniels asked to buy a handgun as well as a .22 caliber rifle. The resident said he had a handgun to sell and asked the police what would be needed to lawfully sell the firearm.

A buyer must have a handgun permit and be at least 18-years-old, police said.

The officer checked further and found the same Ted Daniels is a convicted felon.

A "controlled buy" was set up so the transaction would take place under police surveillance.

Daniels arrived, bought the handgun and a short time later was detained by police and arrested. Investigators also discovered that two other firearms were stored at Daniels' home in the 3300 block of West E.

A search warrant was issued and two rifles were found.

Daniels is charged as a felon in possession of firearms, which is a felony punishable by as much as 50 years if not life imprisonment.

He is also charged with possession of a controlled substance - Oxycontin -- which could add another five years to his sentence.